Can Hinojosa Actually Deliver on Promise of $1,500 Payments?

AUSTIN, TX — Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa’s campaign promise to provide a one-time $1,500 payment to every Texas household will require legislative approval before it can become reality.

Hinojosa made the payments a central part of her campaign focus on affordability and rising household expenses.

The proposal is estimated to cost $17 billion and would be funded through the Texas Economic Stabilization Fund — commonly referred to as the Rainy Day Fund.

Currently, the fund stands near its constitutional cap at $26.9 billion, so the $1,500 payments would take about 63% of it.

Hinojosa has acknowledged that the payments would require approval from state lawmakers. Although Democrats won control of the Texas House, Republicans retain control of the Senate.

The Texas Constitution requires approval from two-thirds of the members present in both chambers to spend rainy day funds for a general purpose.

Texans hoping to receive the money will have to wait for lawmakers to consider and approve the plan.